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The Celtic navigator's great journey inspires this recording featuring material reworked and remixed from "Navigatio" combined with brand new material.

Introduction by Stephen Lawhead –

The great saints of the early Celtic church - Patrick, Columba, Samson, Aidan, And Brendan - were great travelers as well. In an age when most men rarely journeyed more than a few miles from hearth and home, they roamed the world ' often with little more than the cloaks on their backs, and the sandals on their feet.

For the Celtic saints, each outward journey was also a journey inward. They wandered as pilgrims for the good of their souls, and each new discovery was seen as a discovery of the hidden territory of their own inner hearts. But, as much as they liked to travel, they loved returning even more. It was been said the Celts often left home just so they could enjoy the home-coming. Indeed, a man like St. Brendan would have relished one of the Celtic world's rare and special pleasures; to see one's homeland again, and know if for the first time.

Much has been written about "The Voyage of St. Brendan (Navigatio Sancti Abbatis)". The story of the intrepid Navigator's fantastic voyage with a handful of monks to the Land of Promise is one of the great tales in the Celtic literary cannon.

Like we often do with stories about people from the past, I initially viewed Brendan from afar. Much like one viewing a passing ship from the shoreline with a pair of binoculars, I saw Brendan but I did not know him. But here, in this music, I have attempted to sit with him inside his boat upon the great open sea – Oceanus.

While drifting along the world's edge, the Brendan that I met wrestles with many of the same things with which I struggle. His eyes seek and long for something good, beautiful and true yet seldom does he get more than a glimpse of these. His mind dreams and hopes but his heart more often fears and despairs. He often finds himself alone - not because he does not have friends - but because he pursues the path of faith which ultimately one must follow on their own. He wonders if he has enough faith to continue down the path which he follows ...

He does not. Yet, always he prays and the King of Love's good grace sustains him. This is what makes Brendan a true saint and, for me, is the inspiration for this music. – Jeff Johnson

Music Review –

This CD has haunted me relentlessly from the first moments I heard the pennywhistle bleats and atmospheric keyboard swells of the aptly titled album opener, Oceanus. Indeed Prayers of St. Brendan (The Journey Home) - veteran musician Jeff Johnson's first full-length release on Hearts of Space - is mighty wide and deep stuff .
– CCM Magazine

O Redeemer,
Receive the hymn of those who sing to thee in harmony.
O king of the eternal fatherland,
(Who didst fill the Virgin's womb,)
The one hope of mortal men,
O Redeemer, listen to the voices –
receive the hymn of those who sing to thee in harmony.

Audi voces – Listen to the voices.

Track Name: The Fiery Mountain (Part 1) – Sheol

The Fiery Mountain (Part 1) – Sheol
By Jeff Johnson

Follow me down,
I know where to go.
Just follow me down,
I know where to go.

And pray for me,
Please pray for me,
As I make my way towards Sheol.

Pray for me,
Please pray for me,
As I make my way towards Sheol.

Follow me down,
I know where to go.
Just follow me down,
I know where to go.